IS BROOKS OUT?

BUCS' INTEREST IN BRIGGS A MESSAGE TO BROOKS?
Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interested in trading for Bears linebacker Lance Briggs.
Schefter says that Bucs officials have confirmed their interest in Briggs.
If Tampa would land the Tampa 2 linebacker, the Bucs would have three -- that's three -- weakside specialists under contract. In additional to Briggs, they have mainstay Derrick Brooks and newcomer Cato June, who signed a three-year deal with a total value that's roughly one half of what Briggs likely wants in guaranteed money.
Are the Bucs serious? We don't think so. But we do think that it's head coach Jon Gruden's way of letting Brooks know that Gruden would prefer that Brooks move on. (Not gonna do it tonight.)
The other alternative would be to move Briggs to the middle. He wants to be Brian Urlacher; why not let him play Urlacher's position? But that means Brooks or June wouldn't be able to move to the middle.
Besides, June probably can only play the weakside, given his safety-sized body.
In our view, then, this isn't about the Bucs getting Briggs. It's about the Bucs getting rid of Brooks. And it could happen sooner than anyone realizes.